Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2009-10: Spencer Abbott skated in 38 of 39 games for the University of Maine as a sophomore. Playiing on Maine’s second line with Robbie Dee (EDM) and David deKastrozza much of the season, he scored 9 goals with 19 assists and was plus-one with 6 penalty minutes. The Black Bears finished fourth in Hockey East and reached the conference championship game, falling 7-6 to eventual national champion Boston College in a wild 7-6 overtime game.

2010-11: Abbott was the second-leading scorer for Maine as a junior with 40 points in 36 games; eleven points behind Red Wings’ prospect Gustav Nyqvist, the Black Bears leading scorer. Once again playing alongside Dee much of the time, he scored 17 goals with 23 assists and was plus-nine with 16 penalty minutes. The Black Bears finished fifth in Hockey East and their season ended in the playoff quarterfinals when they were swept by Merrimack.

2011-12: Abbott made his pro hockey debut, signing an entry level contract with the Maple Leafs in March 2012 and joining their AHL affiliate Marlies following his senior season at Maine. He had 1 assist and was minus-one in three regular season games and appeared in five playoff games with no points nor penalty minutes. Abbott was the Hockey East Player of the Year and a First Team East All-American in his final season with the Black Bears — scoring 21 goals with 62 assists and finishing plus-14 with 34 penalty minutes in 39 games. The Black Bears finished fourth in Hockey East and earned their first NCAA tournament bid since 2006-07 after reaching the Hockey East championship game for the second time in three seasons.

2012-13: Part of a crowded forwards group for the Toronto Marlies during the NHL lockout, Abbott steadily saw more ice time for the Leafs’ AHL affiliate in his first pro season and was playing right wing on the team’s top line in the playoffs before suffering an injury. He scored 13 goals with 20 assists in 55 regular season games and was +9 with 10 penalty minutes. Toronto finished first in the North Division and reached the second round in the AHL playoffs. Abbott played in 5 of 9 playoff games, scoring 2 goals with 3 assists and was -2 with 2 penalty minutes. Abbott was re-signed by Toronto to a one-year contract as a restricted free agent in July of 2013.

2013-14: Abbott made the Maple Leafs out of training camp and appeared in one game before being returned to the Marlies and spending his second pro season in the AHL. He had no points or penalties and was -2 in 10 shifts in his only NHL game. Abbott was the second-leading scorer for the Marlies with 17 goals and a team-high 52 assists in 64 regular season games, finishing +10 with 16 penalty minutes. Toronto finished first in the North Division and reached the Western Conference finals — falling to Texas in a seven-game series. Abbott scored 4 goals with 7 assists and was +4 with 2 penalty minutes in 11 playoff games. He was re-signed to a one-year, two-way contract by the Leafs in September 2014.

Talent Analysis

Abbott is a highly-skilled forward with great vision. He is known for his playmaking ability and technical skills but his lack of size and bulk present a challenge at the highest level. He is a huge asset on the powerplay and isn’t afraid of going into the dirty areas.

Future

Abbott was dealt by the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for T.J. Brennan.

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Photo: Toronto Marlies forward and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Spencer Abbott is currently ranked fifth in scoring in the AHL with 42 points in 40 games (courtesy of David Cooper/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

With the American Hockey League season passing the midway point, a great deal of young prospects have already made some noise with their respective NHL clubs while others continue to adjust to the pro-style game.

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Photo: Forward Spencer Abbott has been a standout for the Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Abbott is in his second full season of professional hockey. (courtesy of Abelimages/Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs strong start can be attributed to the depth they have accumulated over previous seasons. Under general manager Dave Nonis, the Maple Leafs continue to foster the development of their youth in hopes they will one day become NHL players.

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Photo: Kitchener Rangers forward Josh Leivo was one of several Toronto Maple Leafs prospects to join that club’s minor-league affiliate at the completion of the junior hockey season (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

Years of building the Toronto Maple Leafs from the ground up started to pay off for the club in the 2012-13 season. The Maple Leafs returned to the playoffs after a nine-year absence to play the Boston Bruins in round one. Toronto took Boston all the way to game seven and looked poised to head into the second round before a third period collapse changed everything. While it was a heartbreaking collapse which led to an overtime loss (and subsequent elimination) it provided a learning experience for a club which lacked playoff experience.

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Photo: Defenseman Morgan Rielly maintains his spot as the top prospect for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Rielly was selected 5th overall by the Leafs in 2012. (courtesy of Abelimages/Getty Images)

The shortened 2012-13 NHL campaign has seen the Toronto Maple Leafs use a number of developed players throughout the season. Eight players who are 26 years old or younger, have suited up for the Maple Leafs this season – all of them playing vital roles for the Toronto Marlies earlier this season . This is a testament to the process the Maple Leafs have implemented in recent years to develop and promote more prospects.

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Photo: Forward Joe Colborne is one of several Toronto Maple Leafs prospects who has NHL experience. (Fred Kfoury/Icon SMI)

The Toronto Maple Leafs' cupboard is no longer bare, though it is certainly lacking high caliber offensive forwards. In previous years, the Leafs have been known to make rash signings and trades, paying little to no attention to the quality and continuity of their pipeline. They renewed their focus on drafting and development several ago and are only now slowly beginning to reap the benefits.